Swansea v Watford – Match Preview

January 19, 2016

Swansea v Watford – Match Preview

Swansea welcome Watford to the Liberty Stadium on Monday night, with both sides struggling for form in the Premier League. Having lost matches in recent weeks, both sides will be keen to take three points in what could well be a cagey affair.

After Newcastle’s victory over West Ham on Saturday, Swansea have dropped into the relegation zone and only three points against Watford will see them move back above Newcastle and into 17th. The news last week that midfielder Jonjo Shelvey had been sold to relegation rivals Newcastle has left many Swansea fans questioning whether their side are preparing for life in the Championship. Having won only once in their last 11 matches, Swansea’s current form would seem to have them relegation bound but there has been glimmers of hope in recent weeks. Having only scored two goals in six league matches, the team are at least now scoring goals, with three in their last two league matches. Swansea aren’t overly reliant on one source of goals either, with both strikers Andre Ayew and Bafetimbi Gomis scoring recently. However it is yet to be seen whether Gomis will feature who, according to media reports, is wanted by Newcastle in an £8 million deal by the end of the current transfer window.

Watford won the corresponding fixture 1-0 in September courtesy of a goal from Odion Ighalo – their first league win of the season They now currently sit in 12th spot in the Premier League table but they have struggled in recent weeks, taking just one point from the last 12 and losing their last three league matches. Although clear of the relegation battle at present, players and fans will be more than aware that they could be dragged into it. In Ighalo they have one of the rising stars of the season, with the Nigerian striker having scored 14 goals this season, including six in the month of December alone. With 29 points banked already for the season, Watford know that they are close to sealing their position in next season’s Premier League as they look to cement their place as a Premier League side. Watford manager Quique Sanchez Flores is expected to recall defender Nathan Ake, who is available again after a three match suspension but they will still be without defenders Tommie Hoban and Joel Ekstrand who are still out with injury.

Swansea are the 2.4 (7/5) favourites for Monday’s match with Watford available to back at 3.30 (23/1) and the draw 3.25 (9/4). With Swansea now beginning to score goals and Watford possessing a strong strike force with Ighalo and Troy Deeney, a bet on the total match goals may be the best betting angle for the match. The football betting tip for the Swansea v Watford match is over 2.5 goals in the match at 2.40 (7/5).